Scooter Incident at Magic Kingdom Bus Stop

[limabeanmom2003]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that there's an awful lot of self-entitled, selfish responses in this thread. Why not just be thankful that you and no one in your party need to use a device that limits your access and your fun. Sure, there are unscrupulous people that will job the system. And they'll be found out eventually by Disney or their higher power. (Instant Karma's gonna get ya!) Wouldn't Disney be an even lovelier place if we could all treat those who are less capable than ourselves with a little respect and honor?

I don't think the posters are self entitled or selfish. I think people in general expect to be treated fairly. If you have been waiting your turn in line and get bumped from a bus because a scooter and their party arrive at the last minute, it can be frustrating. No one at disney enjoys waiting for buses.

 

[serenitynow]

Yes and it can be frustrating when you have to wait for the next bus or two because the only 2 spaces you can use on each bus already has a wheelchair or scooter in it. Or when you arrive at the bus stop after 2 other disabled people are already waiting for the bus to arrive and will take Both of the only 2 available handicapped spaces. Or when you are stuck on the bus waiting for every other passenger to exit before your wheelchair can be taken out of the tie downs. Frustration is a normal part of everyday life with which we all have to learn to live. Patience and compassion are virtues we all need to work on. No one enjoys waiting for buses.

 

[mummabear]

Let's look at it another way. It is just because it is.

Today I was approaching a red light. There were several cars on the other side waiting to make a left turn. I pulled up just as the light turned green, and it's a solid green. I was making a right turn. So those several cars, who has already been waiting a bit, had to wait while I made my right turn. Was it fair....No. But those are the right of way laws. I'm sure somebody will probably come along and explain WHY the right of ways laws are what they are. Ultimately, it doesn't matter. It just IS. Things aren't always fair, sometimes they just are the way they are. We can hope that it more or less works out in the end. One of these days I'll be making a right, but it may be a different light, and the left might have a green arrow, then I'll have to wait.

And yes, I actually thought about this thread today when I came up to that light.

Ahh yes but now imagine that that they take 5 be chiles from behind you in your turning lane and they are allowed to turn before you just evaluate they are going the same place as the green light vehicle.
That would be a more accurate comparison.

No, that is not what I meant. DH or myself can "handle" our children alone.

I don't mind waiting in line, waiting for another bus, or standing on a bus but since Disney does load scooters first regardless of when they arrived or what the line looks like, my concern is being separated from my party.

Why is that a concern? Why can't they just wait for you at your destination stop or a pre determined meeting place? It's not hard really.

I have never thought my families needs are greater than others. I don't have 5 people with us either but if I did Disney says it is ok for them to go on the bus with the mobility device. That is the only thing that matters, what Disney says and we follow it.

But the fact that you think you should be able to skip the line so that your family isn't split is in fact putting your needs or really I should say wants above those who you have pushed in front of.

You could consider, though, that you don't know how physically and emotionally exhausting that party's day has been.

And you could consider the fact that you know nothing of how physically and emotionally exhausting the day has been for all the people waiting for the bus ahead of you, as far as I'm aware Disney does not load the bus based on how good your day has been.

 

[LvsTnk]

I take DS and his wheelchair to the parks in a rental car now I'm over the staring and glaring. Actually I waited for a bus with my other son and grandson last trip and it took foreverrrrr I def don't feel like I'm missing out on the bus thing by driving, you all can fight and complain about that.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

And you could consider the fact that you know nothing of how physically and emotionally exhausting the day has been for all the people waiting for the bus ahead of you, as far as I'm aware Disney does not load the bus based on how good your day has been.

Amen - not everyone with a disability or other issues uses these mobility devices.

 

[maxiesmom]

Amen - not everyone with a disability or other issues uses these mobility devices.

I've seen many posts by people who should use them, but are afraid to, after all the judging they see going on here.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

And you could consider the fact that you know nothing of how physically and emotionally exhausting the day has been for all the people waiting for the bus ahead of you, as far as I'm aware Disney does not load the bus based on how good your day has been.

Excellent point. Priority for those who have small children? Priority for single moms? Priority for those over 65 who do not travel with a wheelchair or ECV? Priority for those who got wet in the rainstorm? Priority for those who argued with their spouse for more than 10 minutes? Priority for those who have a cold? Priority for those who waited in line for SDMT for more than 60 minutes?

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I've seen many posts by people who should use them, but are afraid to, after all the judging they see going on here.

Perhaps, but should we ignore this problem because discussing it might put some people off? If we did that, we wouldn't have much to talk about.

 

[piccolopat]

The poster was accurate. Here is a link to the applicable US statute .Note part (f).

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/37.163

And before anyone says that this applies only to vehicles out of order. Your US cts have interpreted this to mean that this is the outside waiting time for a accessible vehicle period. Just do a bit of research and you'll see that.

The section in your link applies to public entities. This usually refers to state and local governments, not private companies. Are you sure this applies to Disney?

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I've seen many posts by people who should use them, but are afraid to, after all the judging they see going on here.

You have a point. I suspect my mom might be in that group. Which is precisely why Disney should change their ECV policies so that they are not so blatantly unfair.

Much of the judging happens because guests see those in ECVs getting a lot of advantages that appear unfair. It is a huge problem on the buses, and it is also a huge problem with priority seating at shows. You have to either be in a wheelchair, an ECV, or with such a group to get a first or second row seat at most of the shows. It is frustrating to arrive half an hour early for a show - to be the first in the theater- to realize that you cannot use the first 2-3 rows because those are reserved. Then, someone comes in an ECV 5 minutes before with a party of 10 who sit in front of you and block your view.

Surely you can't believe that there are only a few selfish people who are annoyed by current policy. Most people don't say anything, but most people use their manners. It doesn't mean they aren't thinking that the policy is unfair. Humans naturally want things to be fair, and when they observe that they are not, you can't blame them for being bothered.

I realize that there are certain things Disney has to do to comply with the ADA, and I realize that they frequently get sued for failing to do enough for those with disabilities. It is easier for them to go overboard for those with disabilities since those who do not have a disability have no legal basis to sue for not getting special benefits. From a legal standpoint, Disney's decisions make perfect sense.

However, it is precisely all of these benefits that people see as unfair that cause the judging and anger directed at those in ECVs and their parties. The bus policy HopperFan observed does seem much more fair - and it would benefit everyone. Including those in ECVs.

Reduce unfair policies - reduce judgment.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I've seen many posts by people who should use them, but are afraid to, after all the judging they see going on here.

Sad, but true.

 

[serenitynow]

If you are so certain that wheelchair / ECV users have some unfair benefits that you don't have, you can always rent your very own wheelchair for your next vacation. That way, you too can pay to have the benefits of the disabled.

Of course, that's a big benefit that you have that the normal wheelchair user doesn't have - that is the choice to be in the wheelchair. Now that's really unfair.

 

[DM Minnie]

As someone recently diasogned with MS and needing a ECV or wheelchair this coming trip I think I will be taking my car instead of the bus.

 

[mrsksomeday]

But the fact that you think you should be able to skip the line so that your family isn't split is in fact putting your needs or really I should say wants above those who you have pushed in front of.

Again, I do not think we should be able to "skip the line so that your family isn't split". I stated I follow the Disney rules, quit putting words in my mouth. Here are the rules from Disney as per their signage:

 

[mummabear]

Again, I do not think we should be able to "skip the line so that your family isn't split". I stated I follow the Disney rules, quit putting words in my mouth. Here are the rules from Disney as per their signage:

The discussion here is not what Disneys policy's are but whether these policy are fair.
You have stated that you think it would be unfair to split up your family and I think it is unfair that 5 able bodied guests are being allowed to skip in front of others guests simply because they are accompanying a disabled guest.
This has nothing to do with the ADA, the allowances for disabilities do not extend to their families

 

[mrsksomeday]

Sorry to inform you, but life isn't fair, it doesn't matter what any of us thinks all that matters is what Disney states the rules are. They have clearly stated it on signs so you can complain how unfair it is until the end of time, things aren't changing.

I am done talking to you about it. I will contribute to the thread but this back and forth is over.

 

[mummabear]

Sorry to inform you, but life isn't fair, it doesn't matter what any of us thinks all that matters is what Disney states the rules are. They have clearly stated it on signs so you can complain how unfair it is until the end of time, things aren't changing.

I am done talking to you about it. I will contribute to the thread but this back and forth is over.

I find this so ironic.
Given that the ADA is all about making things "fair".
Given the uproar when Disney changed its policy to the DAC and the cry of "Its not fair"

A perfect example of how you only care when its not fair to you....

 

[stitchlovestink]

They load the EVCs,and WCs this way for two reasons
1. It is safest for everyone involved
2. It works from the legal standpoint.

Okay let me explain but giving a scenario. An empty bus pulls up and person #1 in the queue just happens to be on an ECV, fine. Persons 2 to 5 are mobile. Person 6 is in a WC and cannot transfer. Okay. There are only 2 tie down spots both are now accounted for. Persons 7 through 10 are mobile (walking). Person 11 is on an ECV. Well now since that bus cannot accommodate person 11 it BY LAW is considered full and is no longer supposed to accept ANY MORE PASSENGERS! PERIOD! End of conversation.
So, BY LAW, they should be sending a nearly empty bus on its,way with only 10 passengers! Not very effective is it? But That is the LAW!!
BUT....here is the caveat!! If they give priority boarding to the disabled and fill all of those spots FIRST, Then they can fill the remainder of the bus without considering having passed up a guest they could not accommodate. They, BY LAW, are not supposed to allow other guests to go PAST if they choose to have HC passengers queue up. So by giving priority boarding to EVCs they are making sure they are most effectively filling their buses.
And when the stack buses 2 deep disabled passengers TOTALLY MISS OUT on boarding that 2nd bus!!
You can't have it both ways. If you want the ECVs to queue up, you don't get to tell them they have to queue up AND then on TOP of that they have to wait for the NEXT BUS.
There are laws protecting the Disabled rights in transportation as well!

 

[kaytieeldr]

And I bet that there are well over 30 times more ambulatory passengers as there are mobility device patrons. Bringing in the multiple bus scenario doesn't help the general discussion as it only represents a tiny percentage of the overall bus pickups.

Yet surprisingly, the standing queue empties when the buses stack up - but the mobility device line remains.

I don't think the posters are self entitled or selfish. I think people in general expect to be treated fairly. If you have been waiting your turn in line and get bumped from a bus because a scooter and their party arrive at the last minute, it can be frustrating. No one at disney enjoys waiting for buses.

May I ask posters to consider how this is different from getting bumped from a bus because passengers refuse to move back and make room - maybe taking up space with strollers, bags, etc, or just being obstinate?

and it is also a huge problem with priority seating at shows. You have to either be in a wheelchair, an ECV, or with such a group to get a first or second row seat at most of the shows. It is frustrating to arrive half an hour early for a show - to be the first in the theater- to realize that you cannot use the first 2-3 rows because those are reserved. Then, someone comes in an ECV 5 minutes before with a party of 10 who sit in front of you and block your view.

Flights of Wonder, Lion King (stairs to the higher/back rows) maybe Carousel of Progress... I can't think of any other show where wheelchair guests aren't relegated to the last row or two: American Adventure, Muppets, Little Mermaid, Indiana Jones, Fantasmic!, Nemo...

The discussion here is not what Disneys policy's are but whether these policy are fair.

Disney has determined their policies are fair and reasonable.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ahh yes but now imagine that that they take 5 be chiles from behind you in your turning lane and they are allowed to turn before you just evaluate they are going the same place as the green light vehicle.
That would be a more accurate comparison.

If be chiles are vehicles (tough to decipher at 3 AM), this comparison works only if the right turn signal is only operational once every fifteen or more minutes at a no right on red intersection.